Original news and analysis on international IP policy
The European Patent Office (EPO) recently completed the first phase of a “scenario for the future” project that will analyse the future of the intellectual property system with a 2020 horizon and try to determine the implications for Europe in…
The world’s largest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, is suing the Philippine government for having imported and registered – but not marketed – a product that is still under patent. At the same time, industry is said to be lobbying against a…
Negotiators addressing proposals for the protection of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions (folklore) and genetic resources ran aground over whether to address potentially legal text before completing work on objectives and principles. The committee will meet again on 4-12 December…
A committee representing the World Health Organization executive board today added more recommendations to a draft resolution based on a recent WHO intellectual property report, many of which were expressed by developing countries and Kenya in particular. Brazil also made…
By William New and Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Developing country members of the World Intellectual Property Organization this week are demanding that a key committee on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore be mandated to agree on a legally binding…
[For the official biography of Michael Keplinger, please see IPW, May 5, 2006, WIPO] The United States government today confirmed it has put forward a senior Commerce Department official’s name for a top spot at the World Intellectual Property Organization.…
Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen et William New Un rapport très attendu de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), réalisé par une commission spéciale chargée d’étudier les liens entre les droits de propriété intellectuelle et les activités de recherche et développement…
Por Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen y William New El tan esperado informe de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), elaborado por una comisión especial para analizar la relación entre los derechos de propiedad intelectual y la investigación y el…
Government negotiators addressing the global harmonisation of patent systems today could not agree on a work programme for a key World Intellectual Property Organization committee, effectively stalling debate on the issue until the end of the year. “It is not…
Nations debating whether to harmonise national patent systems have turned their focus to developing country demands to include requirements that patent filers disclose the origin of genetic material and traditional knowledge. The debate is taking place in a 10-12 April…
India today floated a suggestion for joint meetings of two key committees at the World Intellectual Property Organization in a move that could change the way patents are addressed. The proposal could elevate biodiversity issues of concern to developing countries…
The member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) cautiously opened discussion today on the future work programme of the committee responsible for harmonisation of patent laws. The issue is contentious as many WIPO developing country members have previously…